Picture of pool water blue and sparkling

Pool Cleaner Overview

Zodiac Duo-X robotic pool cleaner with dual-stage filtration and Helix brushes, designed for in-ground pools of all shapes and surfaces. Duo-X type robotic pool cleaner pictured at the edge of a outdoor pool.

Robotic Pool Cleaners

How it works:
Self-contained units with their own motor and filtration system. Corded models plug into a power outlet and cordless models are battery-powered. Both cordless and corded robotic pool cleaners work independently of the pool’s pump and filter.

Features:
Programmable cycles and smart navigation
Cleans floors, walls, and sometimes waterlines

Pros:
Excellent cleaning performance
Reduces load on pool equipment
Energy efficient and intelligent

Cons:
Higher upfront cost
Must be manually placed and removed after cleaning

Best for:
Pool owners seeking a high-performance, low-maintenance solution.

The Zodiac branded AX20 ACTIV pool suction cleaner ahown tilted backward to reveal the two spinning cleaning rotors. A hose is attached to the unit which would feed to the skimmer box of a pool.

Zodiac G2 suction pool cleaner with blue disc and Twist & Lock hose, suitable for in-ground pool floor and wall cleaning.

Suction Pool Cleaners

How it works:
Typically, connects to the pool’s skimmer or a dedicated suction line and uses the pool’s filtration system to vacuum dirt and debris.

Features:
Moves randomly across the pool floor and walls
Relatively low-cost
Easy to install and operate

Pros:
Affordable upfrontcost
Fewer moving parts
Low maintenance

Cons:
Relies on your pool’s filter and pump
More wear on filter and pump equipment
May struggle with larger debris or very large pools

Best for:
Pool owners seeking a budget-friendly, simple solution for regular cleaning.

Pressure Pool Cleaners

How it works:
Attaches to the water return line and uses water pressure (often via a booster pump) to move around the pool and collect debris into its own filter bag. Less popular than other cleaners.

Features:
Independent debris bag reduces load on pool filter.
Some models require a separate booster pump.

Pros:
Great for picking up larger debris like leaves and twigs
Doesn’t clog the pool’s filtration system

Cons:
Higher installation and equipment cost
Requires adequate water pressure or a booster pump

Best for:
Pools with heavy leaf fall or larger debris.

Traditional suction vaccum attachment for manual pool cleaning

BWT manual hand held motorised pool vacuum

Manual Pool Cleaners

How it works:
Traditional hand-held vacuum heads connect to a telescopic pole and suction hose (left hand photo) whereas motorised devices (right hand photo) connect to a telescopic pole and have a filter bag for the collection of debris. Both types are operated manually by the user.

Features:
Requires physical effort and time
Simple design

Pros:
Inexpensive
Full control over where and when you clean

Cons:
Labour-intensive
Not ideal for regular maintenance.

Best for:
Small pools, spas, or occasional spot cleaning.